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Francis cited those suffering through the Syrian war, especially during the "most awful battles" in Aleppo. He pressed the international community to find a negotiated solution. He urged Israelis and Palestinians to abandon hate and revenge.

He also lamented that in Nigeria "fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children," a reference to child suicide bombers, and he decried conflicts and tensions in Africa, eastern Ukraine, Myanmar, the Korean peninsula, Colombia and Venezuela.

According to AP, the heavy security at the Vatican reflected the apprehension felt in much of Europe following recent attacks. Just last week, 12 people were killed in Berlin when a man, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, rammed a truck into a Christmas market in the city. He later died in Milan during a shootout with authorities.

"Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them, or who were wounded, as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, that have sown fear and death in the hearts of so many countries and cities," the pope said.

Referring to the meaning of Jesus' birth, Francis said: "Today this message goes out to the ends of the Earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace."